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Transportations Issues

The goal of the Mono County Regional Transportation Plan is to provide and maintain a transportation system that provides for the safe, efficient, and environmentally sound movement of people, goods and services, and that is consistent with the socioeconomic and land use needs of Mono County. The primary transportation mode is the existing highway and road system. The Bikeway/Trail component has become an increasingly important mode of circulation, particularly in Mammoth Lakes. Air travel is a mode of travel capable of assuming a larger role in
the future as the Town and County continue to make necessary improvements to existing airports.

As recreational use increases in the county, particularly in Mammoth Lakes, congestion and air pollution problems will become more acute. Mammoth Lakes has been classified as a nonattainment area for state ozone standards, and for state and federal PM-10 standards. In the recent update of the Regional Transportation Plan and its approval of several large resort developments, Mammoth Lakes has placed a greater emphasis on transit and pedestrian improvements, rather than road improvements, to address congestion and air-quality problems.

The need to provide transit for transit-dependent persons and others continues to grow. The rural, sparsely populated nature of Mono County makes it difficult to provide equitable transit services to the various communities. A joint-powers authority with Town of Mammoth Lakes, City of Bishop, Inyo and Mono counties has been established to provide transit service in the Eastern Sierra. The LTC has a goal of increasing interest and involvement in providing efficient transit service to county residents. A short-range transit plan has been adopted through ESTA, and a longer-range plan is under way. In addition, the LTC continues its participation on the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS), which provides transit service to Yosemite Valley from eastside communities.

Due to Senate Bill 45, the role of the LTC has expanded significantly. This legislation provides the LTC additional responsibilities for project monitoring with significant, additional and discretionary funding for transportation projects and increased transportation planning.